New 163(j) guidance clarifies trader funds’ business interest expense deduction limitations
On July 28, the Treasury Department released final regulations (TD 9905) and proposed regulations (REG-107911-18) providing guidance on the business interest expense limitation under Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 163(j). The regulations provide direction on several issues impacting the financial services industry, with further clarification on the application of the Section 163(j) limitation for trading partnerships.
BACKGROUND
Section 163(j) limits a taxpayer’s business interest expense to the sum of:
1) 30% of adjusted taxable income (ATI) for that year (increased by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to 50% of ATI for taxable years beginning in 2020)
2) its business interest income
3) floor plan financing interest
Before the release of the latest guidance, trader funds were considered to be engaged in a trade or business activity and subject to the Section 163(j) limitation on “business interest expense” at the partnership level. Any interest not limited at the partnership level, and allocated to investors who did not materially participate in the trading activity, was treated as “investment interest expense” in the hands of those partners and, therefore, subject to limitation at their level for purposes of section 163(d).
Multiple comments were received by the Treasury Department and IRS questioning the interpretation of the two mentioned code sections and asserting that interest expense should not be subject to a double limitation under both section 163(j) and section 163(d).
IMPACT OF PROPOSED REGULATIONS ON TRADER FUNDS
The newly proposed regulations now require a trading partnership to separate its interest expense from trading activity between partners that materially participate – the general partner(s) and limited partners who are passive investors. The 163(j) limitation would only apply to the portion of interest expense allocable to the materially participating partners at the partnership level.
The portion of interest expense from a trading activity allocable to passive investors will not be subject to the 163(j) limitation on business interest expense at the partnership level. It will only be subject to the investment interest expense limitation under section 163(d) at the partner level.
The newly proposed regulations have clarified that limited partners in trader funds are not subject to two sets of limitations on their interest expense. The proposed regulations generally are not retroactive, although taxpayers may choose to apply them to tax years beginning after Dec. 31, 2017. Trading partnerships with significant disallowed interest expense under 163(j) may want to consider revising prior year tax returns.
There are other aspects of the new guidance that will have implications for the financial services industry. Additional alerts will follow.
Robert Richardt, CPA, Partner
646.625.5736
Mark Papa, CPA, Senior Manager
646.625.5719
Justin Williams, CPA, Senior Manager
617.478.9420
Related Services
Any advice contained in this communication, including attachments and enclosures, is not intended as a thorough, in-depth analysis of specific issues. Nor is it sufficient to avoid tax-related penalties. This has been prepared for information purposes and general guidance only and does not constitute professional advice. You should not act upon the information contained in this publication without obtaining specific professional advice. No representation or warranty (express or implied) is made as to the accuracy or completeness of the information contained in this publication, and CohnReznick LLP, its members, employees and agents accept no liability, and disclaim all responsibility, for the consequences of you or anyone else acting, or refraining to act, in reliance on the information contained in this publication or for any decision based on it.
-
InsightGaming Investment Report: Red-hot industry offers new opportunities for investorsRead our in-depth look at the red-hot U.S. gaming market from the venture capital, private equity, and mergers and acquisitions perspectives.
-
InsightPrivate equity’s 5-year sprint to achieving value creationJeremy SwanThink of maximizing value from your PE investments as not a marathon, but a series of sprints enhancing revenue, operations, talent, and more. Here’s how.
-
InsightTop considerations in starting a cannabis-focused alternative investment fundMarc Wolf, Moshe Biderman, Cheryl Watson, Jeffrey MoskowitzFund managers looking to create cannabis-focused investment vehicles face specialized tax, operational, and regulatory considerations.
-
InsightPerspectives on growth – Cannabis Quarterly insights, Q1 2022Catch up on trends in banking, the cost of capital, M&A, tax due diligence, and more in CohnReznick’s CannaQuarterly newsletter.